19/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 5

ALICE TOO was withdrawn on 17.4.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetance) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WONG’S FAVOURITE (Y T Cheng). Before being allowed to race again, ALICE TOO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PACIFIC ALLIANCE was slow to begin. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, LUCKY MONEY failed to muster speed. In the early and middle stages, WONG’S FAVOURITE travelled wide and without cover. After the 500 Metres, COOL RUNNINGS was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY MONEY which was giving ground. Making the Home Turn, DASHING CHAMPION hung out. At the 250 Metres, PACIFIC ALLIANCE was steadied and shifted to the inside of WONG’S FAVOURITE to continue going forward. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, HAPPY ALL AROUND had difficulty obtaining clear running. In the Straight, MAVERICK hung in and COOL RUNNINGS raced greenly. LUCKY MONEY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MONEY after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LUCKY MONEY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, LUCKY MONEY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CLOVIS, EVERGREEN and MAVERICK were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that STAR OF CHIU TON had lost its left hind plate and an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the trachea of WONG’S FAVOURITE. Before being allowed to race again, WONG'S FAVOURITE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.